The victim, Daniel Southern, encountered a group of people, including Smith and his girlfriend and words were exchanged.

Smith was the aggressor, said Eric Lamb, prosecuting, and he struck Mr Southern “a heavy blow which made him fall to the floor striking his head on the floor, undoubtedly contributing to his injuries.”

The victim, who was knocked out, was taken by ambulance to hospital but he discharged himself.

Two days later, however, he returned suffering from slurred speech and headaches.

After a CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain he was transferred to Salford Royal Infirmary where he was treated, although surgery was unnecessary.

Five days later while still in hospital he suffered a seizure and still has to take anti-epileptic medicine, said Mr Lamb.

Sentencing him Judge Andrew Menary, QC, said that he could have been facing a “one punch manslaughter” case and it was a serious incident which caused a short term brain injury.

Geoffrey Lowe, defending, said that Smith has no previous convictions and had acted out of character.